Old Habits

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

 January 5, 2021

Old Habits

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:6

Read:           Acts 1:6-8   

The prevailing view, for the people of Israel, was that the Messiah’s focus would be on restoring the Kingdom of Israel. They expected, hoped, the Messiah would cleanse the Temple and restore it as a sanctified place for worship. They expected, hoped, the Messiah would rid Israel of the oppressive forces occupying Israel and restore their land as a place of prominence. Then, perhaps the Messiah would establish his worldwide reign. Jesus responded in two ways.

First, he didn’t completely disavow their Messianic hopes, he just pointed out the answer to their question was above their pay grade. Secondly, he redirected their attention to the task at hand. This reminds me of the axiom,

The Main Thing

is to Keep the Main Thing

the Main Thing.

A pastor I know likes to remind his congregation that they are called to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium. Too often, church programs and ministries are internally focused on the existing congregation. Jesus calls us to be externally focused as his witnesses to all people, everywhere.

My Takeaway: Like the disciples I also tend to take my attention away from the ‘Main Thing.’ Jesus’ response to the disciples is a reminder to be intentional in my focus so that as I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, I can be his witness, telling people about Jesus everywhere I go.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.